Description
A buttery crust, tangy lemon curd filling, and fluffy toasted meringue topping that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled & cubed
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 3–4 tbsp ice water
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups water
- 3 large egg yolks (save whites for meringue)
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for filling)
- 3 large egg whites (for meringue)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for meringue)
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the crust: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add ice water 1 tbsp at a time, mixing until dough just comes together. Roll out and fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim edges. Blind bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes with pie weights, then another 10 minutes uncovered until golden. Cool.
- Prepare the lemon filling: In a saucepan, whisk sugar and cornstarch. Gradually whisk in water until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened and bubbling. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks. Slowly add a little hot mixture to temper, then return all to saucepan. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and butter. Cook 2–3 minutes more. Pour into baked crust.
- Make the meringue: Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until glossy stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla.
- Assemble & bake: Spread meringue over hot lemon filling, sealing edges. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes until peaks are golden. Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the crust is completely cooled before adding the lemon filling.
- For best results, use fresh lemon juice and zest.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 2 hours to set the filling properly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg